Daishi

I am soon to buy my own camaro, yes thats rite. I have saved enough $$ and now am seriously in the market..


I plan on buying a Camaro that has a 2.8L

I am curious, If I only plan to once in awhile race offa red lights, and I only want a Camaro because I am in Love with the look of them, not just the power. How does the 2.8L hold up.

I know I posted this before but the thread got crazy off topic.. And I was kinda left out there.

I plan on pulling the engine out for a rebuild anyway. And I am just wondering If its actually worth my time and money to drop in a 3.4L.

Thanks again

FastKitteN

Guess really it depends on the car and owner. When I first got my 2.8 it was in bad shape. I changed a few simple things battery, exhaust, interior, exterior, plugs and wires, air filters, and did some clean up work. Besides my transmission going down hill I think my car can move pretty good. It's only a v6 so it doesnt have much to it anyways. In my option I dont see a 3.4 being much a difference.. If your thinking about taking the engine out might as wells go with a 350 or something.. Make it a v8.. Funny thing about these cars I know in KY you get a v6 and insure it and then change it to a v8. Paying insurance for a v6 but killing the rd in a v8.. I plan on taking this second v6 engine of mine and just putting a 350 in it.. This is just my option tho. I only got to drive my car for 6 months then the transmission went crazy. Only got to burn my brand new tires once..

Gumby

Are you some kind of spoof or what???
This is your third thread asking basically the same question???
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=203224
Everyone with a good running 2.8 love it and the rest think you should buy a V8.

Daishi

lol, guess I wasn't satisfied with the way the thread went. If you read it over, I never really got the answer I was looking for.

Im just really really un-sure if I want to go with a 3.4L

But I think I will anyway. Just gotta keep hunting for a camaro.

I've seen lots of them, but not any that have stood out at me yet.

1987-1988 Camaro
V6
T-Tops
5 spd

Its amazing how hard it is to find exactly that.

AGood2.8

Daishi,
Here's what I can promise you- If you buy a 2.8 camaro as your first car, you will be very diappointed with it because no matter what, you will want your car (what ever it is) to beat any other car on the street. To most people, a 2.8 is a budget car and they buy it for economical reasons- I am the only one I have seen that has one purposely over a V8 camaro for handling reasons. I could have bought a V8 if I wanted- but I didn't want one.

Settle with it, or save your money longer- what it will take to make it as fast as you might expect will cost you MORE than just buy a little more expensive V8.

Daishi

That was the best answer I have heard so far. I like power, But Im not gung-go on it. I currently have a great working car, 1984 NewYorker. with a 2.6L 4 cyl. And it has been treating me well.

Money as always has a little effect on me, I am 18 yrs old. Have very little bills and bring in no less than $1,000 every month, after car insurance and bills, etc.

I want a car with some power yes, And I am very new to the whole performance thing. I don't mind hav'in a 6 cyl. And I don't believe my camaro will be able to kill all.

I'm 99% sure I'm gonna go for the 3.4L swap. And maybe in the future, I'll go the V8 route. But for now I want a car with a little bit of power, Looks REAL nice. And rides comfy.

Mainly my dream for the last couple of years, and even more recently has been just to OWN a camaro, I want to just say. YES I OWN A CAMARO. Such a beautiful car they are. I honestly, no joking, would rather have a 1987 camaro, with a 91/92 RS gfx, than say.. a $80,000 viper. Or some crazy $2,000,000 lamborgini or something to that effect

So thanks everyone, I know I have annoyed people with my crazy posting and such, But after all those years, I finally am within reach, and I think I'm gonna just go for the 3.4L and enjoy my beautiful car..... When I actually buy it that is

AGood2.8

Just expect to get beat by every minivan around- stock 2.8's do not have power-even mildly modified. Mine can hang with minivans- but you don't want to know what kind of money I ave invested in this car and what I still plan to put into it- I am building one because I have never seen it done before- When I say "building one" I mean all out race building one- My motor for starters will have custom Carillo rods- need I say more?

Daishi

even with 3.4L?

I dont plan to leave it stock, Headers, and iginition sys is only the beginning..

AGood2.8

You may push 170-180 hp at the flywheel, stock 3.4 is 160hp. stock 2.8 is 135hp. Most new cars put down much more than that- even thany economy model now-a-days. My 2.8 puts out roughly 160hp- but puts it to the ground better than most anything around. I raced a stock 3.4camaro a few weeks back and suprizingly beat it by about 3 car lengths. A 3.4 will be a little faster in our 3rd gen cars because they are a little lighter, but not much.

I am giving you the hard truth- something I think most here wish they new before they bought a V6
Edit: I should also note that I just turned 37 yrs old this month and own several other cars as well as the income to "play" with this fun little car- but it was not even close to fun when I bought it.

Daishi

Actually that is EXACTLY what i am hoping for out of an engine, If I would be able to get around 180HP off fly, I'd be more than happy.

All I want is to feel myself get pushed back in the seat a bit.

Daishi

Oh yeah, And did i mention this is a commuter car, so I can drive to college and back, It's about a 50 min drive one way..

gas is a factor too, This is not a race car, It's a daily driver

AGood2.8

I am building a 240hp 60*v6 that I still don't consider it to ever "Push me back into the seat"- I guess its a matter of what you have experienced.

Daishi

my previous car experience was a 2.6L 4 cyl,

lol :lala:

67 Camaro 88

The power is ... good for a daily driver. Thats it IMO.
One of the best things about teh car is the junk yard parts availibility. Parts are insanely cheap... esp. in teh U-Pull-It yards.


-Bud

67 Camaro 88

double post.. insane crack smoking action going on .. dang


-Bud

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I think for your age, the 2.8 is great. I had a 2.8L 86 SC with a 5spd when I was 17. I LOVED it. I thought it was "quick" but I knew it wasn't all that fast. I'm now 28, I have a weekend IrocZ as my toy and I'm going to be buying that very first 2.8 SC back from my brother (he's now had it for 6 years ). I'm gonna fix/freshen it up and drive it around as my DD for a while. I don't know what I'm gonna do in the long run, but what a great car it was for my bro and I for the last 11 years!!! He couldn't keep 2 cars, and he just bought a new Monte carlo, but neither of us wanted to junk it, so I took it.

I'l always love that car!!!:hail:

camarogirl18

iTrader: (2)

one thing is that if you have a 2.8,theres not a day goes by that someone tells you to "you need to have a real engine in there" or "you need a 350 or 427 in there"..gets so old

i know i have thought about dropping a 350 in mine but i doubt ill do that,ill probably leave it a 2.8 & then go & buy a camaro with a 350 & just have both of them .......who knows alot will tell after Christmas

vortex

Doward here... (Yes, at Vortex's again)

I'd recommend an 88 or newer 2.8L with a T5. the '88+ got the WC T5 (Stronger) and drop a 3.4 into it. You will greatly enjoy it!

DJsyclone

This is getting kindof old. Isn't anybody happy with their 2.8? You'll strain something spending all your time wishing your car had more power. Who cares what anybody says, what are you trying to prove? I bought the first Camaro I saw, it was what I wanted and a lot better than the 250cc motorcycle I had to ride before I got a car. They're still Chevy Camaro's and they'll always be the best things to grace the road, no matter how many cylinders.

Christerray

Best thing to grace the world? I dunno, muffins ARE pretty tasty.

DJsyclone

Huh? I don't know what your talking about, but that sounds pretty good right about now.

vortex

Doward again...

I think of it this way. I wanted a Camaro for the 'image', just like most others.

Now, that 'image' includes a certain kick-***-ness that involves LOADS of power. Like... more power than you can ever safely use. And speed. LOTS of speed.

So it's a quest to go faster.

coolrimsatleast

Sometimes i feel like my 2.8 has decent power, and sometimes it doesn't. I don't know if it's just me or if the car actually has less power sometimes. One time on the autobahn i almost had trouble going over 160kph... and then 2 days later I pass up a BMW 8 series at 200kph, with pedal left.

I feel it's a pretty reliable engine though as long as you keep up with the timing chain, O2 sensor, coil, plugs etc. I'm shipping the car back to WA tomorrow and when i get the car again I'm pulling the engine and replacing exhaust manifold gaskets( ones leaking), camshaft(160,000 k on it so far) and fuel injectors(uneven idle)...to name a few.

But, if i can find a decent 3.4 i'll put that in.

Daishi

Thanks for your posts everyone, I now now what I am going to do, thanks to everyone who, in these words or less. told me to F-off and just swap the F'in thing.

Anyone know how much a 3.4L with all the parts on it, so I can just drop it in costs?

LT1guy

iTrader: (1)

To give you an idea, Redraif and I found a 3.4 a couple months ago at a local salvage yard. It was a 50,000 mile motor from a 1995 Camaro, and was complete except for the coil packs, alternator, and AC compressor (none of which we needed). We paid about $600. You really don't even need all the extras we got, since most of your accessories, intake manifold, distributor, etc are reused from the 2.8 (lots of good threads on exactly what is needed; PM me if you have any specific questions about it). Its actually cheaper than rebuilding a worn out 2.8 (you could easily spend $600 in machine shop charges alone), and the power difference is definitely worth it. Its no V8, but still its a definite improvement and cost effective, too. The hardest part is finding a low mileage 3.4.

jeremy178

one thing i like about the 2.8 camaros is they're actually fun to work on

Daishi

Everyone is getting me all excited about my future plans and I havn't even bought the damn thing yet. LOL

Oh well, another month and IT WILL BE MINE!

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Hey, you're in the same boat now that I was in during the first part of this year-whether to buy a POS Fiero (trust me, this was junk, it was a little rusty and the guy had it for sale for $600, if a car is that cheap w/o being for parts, I call it an unreliable POS that probably needs a new body and/or engine) or some 4 cylinder cars in worse shape, or the Firebird (yes, it's a 2.8) I have now for a little more than I wanted to pay ideally. Granted, I have not felt much power in it, probably because the only times I've driven it I have been leaking engine vacuum and driving without an air dam and not quite overheating, and am having problems at this time (becuase the prev owner was a liar and a cheat who said he just rebuilt the engine 20K ago and it had never been touched, among other things), but I'm going to drive the little 2.8 into the ground if I have to before I get a 3.4. As for the future, I'm going to save up enough to rebuild the 81 Camaro that's in my local junkyard (has a V8) and drive that into the ground as well. I'm happy with the car the way it is now (after I get a new batt and alternator, we'll see) and am going to keep it the way it is. Heck, it might even be worth something someday.... BTW, I'm 18.

devianb

If I knew then what I new today, I would not have bought a 2.8l Firebird. I have gotten really used to it now so I continue to build it up since its pretty reliable and handles really great right now.

I have not done the 3.4l swap or moded the engine internally yet, but IMO a 3.4l compared to a 2.8l is worth it. For one 3.4l block is better, and from what I hear runs more smoothly. Thats good enough for me. I still choose not to swap in a V8 because Id rather go out and buy a nicer V8 car to begin with.

brobert

The only time a 2.8 will give you the thrown back in the seat feeling is if your rear ended. The 2.8 is not a performance engine, hell you could take a school bus, if its the full size version, but one of those "short buses" will probably give you a run for your money! The 2.8 is a everyday normal driving motor. Good luck.

_max_

hell i cant take my 84 berlinetta 2.8 anywere with out some honda or r@@@@ terrorizing me so i now have a freshly bored .030 LT1 in basement coated skirt pistons moly rings going to be mostly stock , just letten those lil fuggers get there jollys is fun but soon their going to say holy flaming barrels batman WOOTHAPPENED TO THAT SLOW *** CAR HEHEHEHEHE

icebird_1981

this is what u do every 2.8 v6 camaro u see for sale take it for a test drive and mash that gas so u no what it really has this way u no.
but if u do end up getting a 2.8 and have a couple races and loose i bet u will wish u got a 350, i did and thats what i got. putting performance aside though the 2.8 is a great engine.
good luck

TomP

Crap, so if so many of you are so unhappy with your 2.8, why the hell do you still have the car?? Junk it and get a v8. I'm still happy with my 2.8- and I've had it since 1994. Yep that's 9.5 years and 194,000 miles later and I'm still happy with it. I intend to be buried in this car.

brobert

I like my car the way it is also, i even said before when or if my engine goes im not putting in a v8 i want a 3.4 even though i could get a v8 VERY easy. Thats not what i want.:lala:

bonz

My first car was a 87 firebird with a 2.8. The best part about it was that it was a firebird. But the engine is nothing special. I never raced it because i know it wouldnt take much to beat it, so yes it is slow. Like camarogirl18 said everyone is going to tell you to drop in a v8, I really hated having to say its just a v6 everytime someone asked me what it had, those cars a ment for a v8. I never thought it was to slow of a car until i got my 89 trans am 305 tpi. You just cant beat the sound of a v8. Insurance wise and mileage wise there isnt much difference. the firebird at best when you where really easy on it got 26.5 but would go down to 22 if you were hard on it. My trans am will get 23 and you can get on it quite a bit. The good thing about having a v8 for my first car was not getting my self killed with to much horse. But with the f-body you can always add a v8 when you get sick of the doggy 6.

DJsyclone

The reason most of us have thirdgens is because of the looks, right? If you wanted more horsepower from a V6 you could have gotten a fourth gen to begin with.

TomP

Typical posers. Know what I always say to "just drop in a v8"? I ask if they know what's involved- they never do. Then I rattle off everything that has to be changed- transmission, springs, radiator, computer, wiring harness, intake, exhaust system, injectors, fuel pump. That's not mentioning getting a new alternator, or brackets for p/s, or air conditioning changes, etc. Then I ask them if they ever changed a fuel pump. They always say no. So I point out that the gas tank has to be dropped, which means the rear suspension and exhaust needs to come out, and that I've done it twice. Then I ask them if they've ever pulled an engine or trans- they say no. Basically I leave -them- feeling like an idiot.

Daishi

lol. Good job. I KNOW that a V8 project is too much for me, I like the looks, and I want some power. So another...3 weeks...

Skatepunk60

I actually like my 2.8L bird too. I dont drag her much but i do all the fun stuff i bought her for, burnouts donuts powerslides and now.. drifting. All in moderation though. When someone tells me to swap a v8 in i tell them to buy the v8 and ill swap it in.

DJsyclone

Well all this talk of a V6 being a doggy engine, I decided to drop in a V8. There's no holding me back now!

614Streets

So true, so true.

jeremy178

if you do a swap to a TPI V8, it is very complicated. However, a local guy around here deals mostly in camaro bodies, and is selling a v8 'kit' from a wrecked Z28- includes 350, 6-speed tranny, and whole front suspension including tires, all with 60,000 miles, for $1,500. He just dropped everything in front of the driveshaft out from under the car. that way, switching over would be a lot easier than the traditional way. wish i had $1,500...

xpence

I think a v-6 rs handles and rides(harsh bumps etc.)
much better than the v-8 cars,but the lack of sack is troublesome.

614 streets has the right idea.Blown V-6.I wanna see one in an f-body

87camaroz28310

in hot rod or car craft i forget which one. i saw a 2.8 L doing a 9.68 in the 1/4 mile on nitrous of course so it all depends on what you want to spend

bonz

A stock 2.8 should last about a week with nitrous.

Doward

A stock 2.8 will handle a 75 shot with no sweat. Couple of guys are doing it... over that though, and you get in trouble.

DJSyclone, you da man! The turbo has no chance against your mighty V8!

I, too, am sick of the 'throw a 350 in there' speech. Screw that, I'll be leaving their 350's in the dust with 'it's just a 3.1 V6... see?'

LT1guy

iTrader: (1)

I assume you're talking fourth gen, since only Firehawks had six speeds in the third generation. They were the only 350/manual trans cars built (and they weren't "factory"...built by SLP). If he is selling a 4th gen LT1/6 speed for that price, could you PM me some info about it? Even not knowing what part of the country you're in, thats a deal, even considering the freight to get it here.

87camaroz28310

they said that 2.8 would run 9s all day long

redraif

Theres a local guy with a Fiero (stock motor, just a chip) running 125, with no problems. Got him high 12s in the quarter, not bad for a 2.8!

MrRamAir

I always felt that my wife's '87 Firebird was a dog. She looked great but no power, hell even our 1990 Chevy Beretta (3.1L) would crush her off the line. But the 2.8L engine does what it does well. Ours is totally stock and has about 92000 miles on her. We are the second owners (Diane bought her in February 1989 with 14000 miles) and there have only been two recurring problems - the alternators are terrible and the linkage for the reverse lights constantly requires adjustment.

For power, I finally convinced her in 1999 to let me order a 2000 WS6 TA, hence my handle as "Mr. Ram Air". We also bought a restored 1979 TA with a 403. My father-in-law has the ultimate sleeper car - a 1989 Turbo TA. You should see the looks on the faces of drivers who think it is just another late 80's GTA!

We just put classic plates on the '87 (15 years old in PA to qualify) and after we got the WS6 I dropped the idea of dropping a 350 into her. Now we plan on doing a restoration paint job and restore the interior. She will remain a 2.8L and look better than ever. We will retain the Bright Red with Silver bottom and the black and orange striping. Interior will remain a light grey.

Anybody know where I can get the striping? Phoenix Graphix does not manufacture it - at least not the last time I checked. We will paint the stripes on if we cannot locate them... Email me at mrramair@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Chris

2000 WS6 Trans Am 346/5.7L LS1
1987 Firebird 2.8L
1979 TA 403/6.6L